The two men exiting the store are suspects in the Sunday morning shooting at the Shell gas station.

File photo | The Tuscaloosa News

By Stephanie TaylorStaff Writer | The Tuscaloosa News

Published: Tuesday, November 12, 2013 at 11:00 a.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, November 12, 2013 at 11:38 a.m.

A shooting victim who said he was targeted for being an Alabama fan was not telling the whole story, investigators now believe.
The 30-year-old Tuscaloosa man told police that he was approached at a gas station early Sunday morning by two men who taunted him for being a University of Alabama fan.
The shooting happened hours after the Tide's 38-17 victory over LSU. News reports quickly spread across the Internet because of the rivalry between the two teams and what appeared to be even greater animosity between their fans.

Investigators are asking for help to identify these shooting suspects.(File photo | The Tuscaloosa News)

“At this point, there is no indication that this involved anyone from out of this area or anyone associated with the LSU fan base,” said Sgt. Dale Phillips, Tuscaloosa County Metro Homicide Unit commander. “There has been a lot of interest in this story because of that statement made by the victim.”
Investigators watched the shooting unfold on surveillance video from the Shell Station at Greensboro Avenue and Skyland Boulevard. They released still photos Tuesday that picture the two men now identified as suspects.
“It is obvious that no one involved is wearing any school attire,” Phillips said. “This is just something involving local people that possibly spilled over from another incident at a nearby business that was also reported to police.”
Phillips did not name the business or elaborate what was reported.
Surveillance video shows the victim walking into the store and becoming involved in a fistfight with two men who were leaving, Phillips said. There was no time for words to be exchanged, he said, before the suspect and the victim began to exchange gunfire. It is unclear who fired first, he said.
The victim was struck twice in the legs and was treated at DCH Regional Medical Center. There were a few customers in the store and in the parking lot at the time, but none were injured.
“We still have several people to interview and leads to follow up on before we can determine what really caused this altercation,” Phillips said. He isn't sure whether the men know one another, but said they have “crossed paths at some point.”
“The victim has been very helpful, but there's still a lot that he needs to help us with,” he said.
Phillips asked that anyone who can identify the suspects pictured in the surveillance video to contact the Tuscaloosa County Metro Homicide Unit at 205-4664-8690 or 205-752-0616, Tuscaloosa County CrimeStoppers at 205-752-STOP (7867) or any local law enforcement agency.
Reach Stephanie Taylor at stephanie.taylor@tuscaloosanews.com or 205-722-0210.

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</style>A shooting victim who said he was targeted for being an Alabama fan was not telling the whole story, investigators now believe.
The 30-year-old Tuscaloosa man told police that he was approached at a gas station early Sunday morning by two men who taunted him for being a University of Alabama fan.
The shooting happened hours after the Tide's 38-17 victory over LSU. News reports quickly spread across the Internet because of the rivalry between the two teams and what appeared to be even greater animosity between their fans.
<div class="picture left" style="width:253px;"> <img src="http://crime.blogs.tuscaloosanews.com/files/2013/11/shell.jpg" width="250" height="155"/> <br />Investigators are asking for help to identify these shooting suspects.(File photo | The Tuscaloosa News)</div>
“At this point, there is no indication that this involved anyone from out of this area or anyone associated with the LSU fan base,” said Sgt. Dale Phillips, Tuscaloosa County Metro Homicide Unit commander. “There has been a lot of interest in this story because of that statement made by the victim.”
Investigators watched the shooting unfold on surveillance video from the Shell Station at Greensboro Avenue and Skyland Boulevard. They released still photos Tuesday that picture the two men now identified as suspects.
“It is obvious that no one involved is wearing any school attire,” Phillips said. “This is just something involving local people that possibly spilled over from another incident at a nearby business that was also reported to police.”
Phillips did not name the business or elaborate what was reported.
Surveillance video shows the victim walking into the store and becoming involved in a fistfight with two men who were leaving, Phillips said. There was no time for words to be exchanged, he said, before the suspect and the victim began to exchange gunfire. It is unclear who fired first, he said.
The victim was struck twice in the legs and was treated at DCH Regional Medical Center. There were a few customers in the store and in the parking lot at the time, but none were injured.
“We still have several people to interview and leads to follow up on before we can determine what really caused this altercation,” Phillips said. He isn't sure whether the men know one another, but said they have “crossed paths at some point.”
“The victim has been very helpful, but there's still a lot that he needs to help us with,” he said.
Phillips asked that anyone who can identify the suspects pictured in the surveillance video to contact the Tuscaloosa County Metro Homicide Unit at 205-4664-8690 or 205-752-0616, Tuscaloosa County CrimeStoppers at 205-752-STOP (7867) or any local law enforcement agency.
Reach Stephanie Taylor at stephanie.taylor@tuscaloosanews.com or 205-722-0210.<p></p><p></p>